MCC foundation cuts lease costs for college

The Mesalands Community College board of trustees approved property and equipment leases with the Mesalands Community College Foundation that reduced or eliminated fees for one year, saving the college nearly $50,000.

The foundation’s leases approved by the board during its Dec. 12 meeting totaled $5,000 — a massive cut in such expenses for the financially struggling college.

Earlier in the fall, the total due on the leases was $54,800, but the leases were not included in the college’s budget after it had cut costs earlier in the year.

Mesalands interim president Allen Moss said at the time he doubted the college had money to pay for the leases.

The foundation subsequently eliminated a $10,000 lease on the Alco property. It reduced a $4,000 lease at 924 W. Route 66 Blvd. to $100 and an Interstate 40 frontage road property lease from $4,000 to $100. A lease for the EDC property and equine center was cut from $31,500 to $4,200.

A lease on a stock trailer was reduced from $4,800 to $500, and a cargo trailer lease was trimmed from $500 to $100.

“We appreciate the foundation doing this for one year, especially when we get back on our feet financially,” Moss said.

Board member Phillip Box suggested the college ought to use the 92-acre EDC tract to grow grain for the rodeo team’s livestock and for agronomy classes. He said such an arrangement also would save money.

Moss said he liked the idea and added he was hopeful Mesalands would obtain a semi-tractor trailer so it could be used for commercial driver’s license instruction and testing.

“We still have a long way to go to build on our current programs,” he added.

In other business:

— As the board approved the November financial report, Moss noted the college had nearly $1 million in cash available with two payrolls left in the current semester.

“I feel good with where we’re entering the spring semester,” he said.

Box suggested a review of certificates of deposit, noting several were earning far less interest than others that are available.

“We don’t need to leave any money on the table,” Box said.

— During the president’s report, Moss said the release of the 2022 audit was imminent. Mesalands officials also were scheduled to have closed-door meetings with the state auditor’s office about a 2023 audit and special audit.

Moss said the auditor’s office indicated it would perform the 2024 audit, as well.

— Moss said the college would look at obtaining federal, state and corporate funding to replace or build a new wind turbine on the campus.

With several wind farms operating in the region and new one slated near Clayton, he said “we have the opportunity to be the training facility of the West.”

Moss also said adding student housing remains a high priority.

— The board approved the college’s annual mission statement, identical to the previous year’s.

Moss said after internal discussion, it was agreed the current statement was “OK” and that updating it would require extra work from the college’s shorthanded staff.

The mission statement states: “Mesalands Community College is an institution of higher education that promotes student learning through quality education and services while fostering personal growth, leadership, and opportunity to a culturally diverse community.” It also contains five goals.

— Mark Martinez, executive director of operations and procurement, said he aimed to have the college’s 24-hour fitness center reopened to the public by Jan. 3.

He said access will be given to faculty and staff to test its card-entry system. Martinez said memberships probably would be $25 a month or $125 for six months.

— Martinez said Building A was undergoing skylight repairs and other work, mostly to rectify damage from May’s hailstorm. He said he was having better communication with the insurance adjuster for storm claims. Martinez said repairs to Building E were high priority due to roof leaks.

A new HVAC unit would be installed in Building C and an evaporative cooler in Building D, he said.

— Rodeo coach Matt Hughes gave his fall report, saying the team was in third place in the regional standings. He expressed confidence it might rise in the standings this spring with three new athletes on the team and the return of two from injuries, including former Rookie of the Year Andy Guzman.

Hughes said he changed contractors during the annual Mesalands rodeo, saving several thousands of dollars.

— Josh McVey, vice president of student affairs, said U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich included $128,000 in an appropriations bill to buy a new induction furnace, using renewable heating technology, for the college’s arts building.